Johnny Pesky: Red Sox legend

Working out with Pesky became a rite of passage for Red Sox players, and Jose Offerman took ground balls from Pesky on his first day with the Red Sox in 1999.
Barry Chin/Globe Staff

Johnny Pesky: Red Sox legend

Johnny Pesky has become a Red Sox legend not so much for his eight years playing for the club, but for his lifetime association with the franchise as one of its most beloved figures.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Pesky, whose No. 6 was retired in 2008, served as a player, coach, manager, broadcaster, special advisor and goodwill ambassador for the Red Sox, with whom he started in 1942.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images
| May 10, 2012

Pesky was a fixture at spring training, where he liked to work with young players. Here, he chatted with Nomar Garciaparra in 1995.

Frank O'Brien/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Pesky became a favorite of players and fans alike. He drew mobs of fans seeking his autograph at spring training in 2006.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Pesky, right, with Ted Williams, left the Red Sox after his rookie season to spend three seasons in military service. He returned in 1946 and led the team in hits in his first three campaigns.

AP
| May 10, 2012

Pesky, left, maintained a lifelong friendship with Williams, and mourned him at the 2002 service the Red Sox held marking the left fielder's death. With Pesky were Dominic DiMaggio, center, and former broadcaster Curt Gowdy.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

For generations of Red Sox players, Pesky was a source of baseball knowledge. Here, Manny Ramirez gave Pesky a bear hug at spring training in 2002.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Pesky regularly dispensed hitting advice, sometimes to players who would go on to become Hall of Famers, such as Jim Rice.

Charles Carey/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

In 1995 and 1996, Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy, left, often called on Pesky for advice.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Pesky served as an advisor in the dugout to Red Sox coaches and players, including Roger Clemens, for many years.

Barry Chin/Globe Staff
| May 10, 2012

Working out with Pesky became a rite of passage for Red Sox players, and Jose Offerman took ground balls from Pesky on his first day with the Red Sox in 1999.